Bicycle and spider capable of measuring power

Abstract

A bicycle has a spider including a torque input section and at least one torque output section; a crank assembly coupled with the spider through the torque input section and applying an input torque to the spider; a chainring mounted to the spider through the at least one torque output section and receiving an output torque from the spider; a gauge disposed and oriented generally along a tangential direction or a quasi-tangential direction with respect to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section; and a circuitry coupled to the gauge and receiving a signal from the gauge.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bicycle, comprising:
 a spider including a torque input section, at least one torque output section, and at least one compartment which is located between the torque input section and the at least one torque output section; 
 a crank assembly coupled with the spider through the torque input section and applying an input torque to the spider; 
 a chainring mounted to the spider through the at least one torque output section and receiving an output torque from the spider; 
 at least one gauge disposed and oriented generally along a tangential direction or a quasi-tangential direction with respect to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section; and 
 a circuitry coupled to the at least one gauge and receiving a signal from the at least one gauge; 
 wherein the spider has a central portion and at least one arm portion which is clockwise or counterclockwise obliquely outward extending from the central portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the tangential direction is defined as a direction along an external common tangent or an internal common tangent to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section, and the quasi-tangential direction is defined as a direction along a line whose slope is between slopes of the external common tangent and the internal common tangent. 
     
     
       3. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the tangential direction is defined as a direction along an external common tangent and an internal common tangent to a circle with a radius of 10 to 100, preferably 30 to 45, millimeters from a center of the torque input section and a circle with a radius of 4 to 6, preferably 5, millimeters from a center of the at least one torque output section, and the quasi-tangential direction is defined as a direction along a line whose slope is between slopes of the external common tangent and the internal common tangent. 
     
     
       4. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the torque input section and the at least one compartment are located at the central portion, and the at least one torque output section is located at the at least one arm portion. 
     
     
       5. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the number of the at least one arm portion is plural, and the arm portions are formed at uneven pitches. 
     
     
       6. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion further comprises a flange which is formed on an edge of the central portion, and the at least one arm portion is clockwise or counterclockwise obliquely outward extending from the flange. 
     
     
       7. The bicycle of  claim 6 , wherein an external common tangent to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section forms an angle with a line from a center of the torque input section to a center of the at least one torque output section and the angle ranges from 3 to 75, preferably 30 to 45, degrees. 
     
     
       8. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gauge is attached on a flat surface of the spider, and a normal line of the flat surface forms an angle with a plane of the chainring and the angle ranges from 0 to 180 degrees. 
     
     
       9. The bicycle of  claim 8 , wherein the flat surface of the spider is formed on a convex or concave of the spider and aligned with the tangential direction or the quasi-tangential direction. 
     
     
       10. The bicycle of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one compartment includes at least one accommodating space and at least one sidewall surrounding the at least one accommodating space, and wherein the central portion further comprises at least one bridge connecting the torque input section to the flange, and wherein an edge of the at least one bridge is formed to be a part of an edge of the accommodating space, and wherein the at least one gauge is disposed on the at least one bridge, the flange or the at least one arm portion. 
     
     
       11. The bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one compartment accommodates the circuitry and/or at least one power source powering the circuitry. 
     
     
       12. A spider, comprising:
 a central portion including a torque input section, a flange and at least one bridge connecting the torque input section to the flange; 
 at least one arm portion including at least one torque output section and outward extending from the flange; 
 at least one compartment located between the torque input section and the at least one torque output section, the at least one compartment including: 
 at least one sidewall; and 
 at least one accommodating space, surrounded by the at least one sidewall; and 
 at least one gauge disposed on the at least one bridge, the flange or the at least one arm portion and oriented generally along a tangential direction or a quasi-tangential direction with respect to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section and generating a signal in response to torque transmission from the torque input section to the at least one torque output section, 
 wherein an edge of the at least one bridge is formed to be a part of an edge of the accommodating space. 
 
     
     
       13. The spider of  claim 12 , wherein the tangential direction is defined as a direction along an external common tangent or an internal common tangent to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section, and the quasi-tangential direction is defined as a direction along a line whose slope is between slopes of the external common tangent and the internal common tangent. 
     
     
       14. The spider of  claim 12 , wherein the tangential direction is defined as a direction along an external common tangent and an internal common tangent to a circle with a radius of 10 to 100, preferably 30 to 45, millimeters from a center of the torque input section and a circle with a radius of 4 to 6, preferably 5, millimeters from a center of the at least one torque output section, and the quasi-tangential direction is defined as a direction along a line whose slope is between slopes of the external common tangent and the internal common tangent. 
     
     
       15. The spider of  claim 12 , wherein the number of the at least one arm portion is plural, and the arm portions are formed at uneven pitches. 
     
     
       16. The spider of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one accommodating space is at least one opening or cavity, and the at least one bridge is clockwise or counterclockwise obliquely or upright radially extending from the torque input section and connecting to the flange. 
     
     
       17. The spider of  claim 12 , wherein an external common tangent to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section forms an angle with a line from a center of the torque input section to a center of the at least one torque output section and the angle ranges from 3 to 75, preferably 30 to 45, degrees. 
     
     
       18. The spider of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one gauge is attached on a flat surface of the spider, and a normal line of the flat surface forms a first angle with a main plane of the spider and the first angle ranges from 0 to 180 degrees. 
     
     
       19. The spider of  claim 18 , wherein the flat surface of the spider is formed on a first face of the at least one bridge. 
     
     
       20. The spider of  claim 19 , wherein a recession is formed on a second face of the at least one bridge opposite to the first face. 
     
     
       21. The spider of  claim 20 , wherein the normal line of the flat surface forms a second angle with a main plane of the recession and the second angle ranges from 0 to 180 degrees. 
     
     
       22. The spider of  claim 12 , wherein the number of the at least one bridge is different from the number of the at least one arm portion. 
     
     
       23. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein an external common tangent to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section forms an angle with a line from a center of the torque input section to a center of the at least one torque output section and the angle ranges from 3 to 75, preferably 30 to 45, degrees. 
     
     
       24. The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compartment accommodates the circuitry and/or at least one power source powering the circuitry.